To Your Health

Healthy news and information from Advantage Chiropractic and Rehabilitation.

Less Pain vs. More Life

Typically, when people in our area consult our practice, they have a specific outcome in mind. Not surprisingly, they are usually seeking relief of a specific ache, pain or symptom. Their particular symptoms are inconvenient and interfering with their ability to enjoy life.

There are two strategies for resolving symptoms. We refer to this as the Less Pain–More Life Paradox. Which one do you prefer?

Less Pain: The fastest, cheapest and most convenient way to make an ache or pain go away is to take pain medication. Ingesting a drug fools your body by masking symptoms. The underlying problem is still there, but you’ll feel better. We don’t offer that.

More Life: Instead, our approach is to reduce interferences to your body’s expression. As more normal function returns, your body no longer has the need to express symptoms.

Fluffy, Firm or Foam?

Ever wake up feeling as if your get-up-and-go—got up and went? It could be your pillow. Does your current pillow support the natural curve in your neck? If not, maybe it’s time to upgrade.

Latex Pillows – Choose from a solid core or a shredded filling that feels like down, but compacts over time. Latex is generally hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, mildew proof and dust mite resistant.

Memory Foam – A denser, memory foam pillow can offer great neck support. These reduce pressure points by continuously molding and adjusting to the shape of your body.

Down Pillows – Down clusters expand and intertwine to form fluffy air pockets. These are considered the top of the line and are often found on the beds of luxury hotels. However, they may not be the best at supporting your neck.

Questions about your pillow? Ask them on your next visit.

Health At Your Fingertips

Your fingernails reveal much about your health. So much so, nail polish and artificial nails must be removed prior to surgery.

Fingernails protect the nerves at the tips of our fingers with a layer of keratin. This protein forms a protective shield, taking up to three months to grow.

A healthy nail will be smooth and the bed underneath pink. A blue nail bed, or streaks of white or red, could indicate poor circulation, disease or poor nutrition. If your nails often break or splinter, your nails are telling you something.

While fingernails are a handy indicator of our health, we often subject them to abuse. They swell when they get wet. Then shrink when they dry. This swell-shrink cycle can eventually leave your nails brittle. Not drinking enough water can stress your nails and cuticles too. Wear rubber or vinyl gloves when using water, soap or chemicals.